It was strong winter 1945. Some Germans told that it was - 20 cel. but situation was very hot. Soviets were very close to Torun, so close that prisoners heard bang outside the camp. Hitler decided to make stronghold from Torun, soldiers were given orders to defent city till last brick. Of course everybody knew about situation on front... Headqater in Torun had ready evacuation plan for civilians, POW and even for soldiers. It was action called Roland and it was divided for three sections: Roland Erwartung: Propaganda and preparing citizens for evacuation. Roland I: For woman, children and olders, this step began in first days of January. Civilans were moved to Wiecbork and Bydgoszcz, then went far away on West where trains could move. The same days Germans started to evacuated (20 - 21 January) POWs, Roland II: began at 30 January and it was an escape plan for German soldiers from Torun crew. Below we published how first day of this action looked like in diares of PO
This blog is dedicated to people who were imprisoned in Stalag XXA in Thorn in 1939-45. We would like to show you that in the shadows of the beautiful gothic city there is also forgotten history.